Global folklore, handicrafts, knitted decor – they are all part of one major interior trend this season. I think these images, from Country Home & Interiors (Nov 2010), have a fresh folksy feel. An inspiring merger. Stylewise it’s like a hybrid of country and folklore with a touch of light bohemian. Added a slight granny-wibe.

Autumn 2010 Home Collection by Gudrun Sjödén.

The entire interior of the old cottage was dismantled and fixed by using traditional methods and materials. The couple also endeavored to add traditional patterns and forms from the district, e.g. the rugs below, woven by grandma. The chairs in the dining room are newly manufactured after old model and has been painted with linseed oil according to the district’s tradition: grey frame and black seat.

The city pair became a family running their own business in a rural area. They have now the house of their hearts, a fixed point in life with great comfort. And may I add, with great style. I fully understand projects of this kind! And it’s great to see trendy interior styles be applied to, and created in, beautiful countryside houses.

| story – and all images, by Anna Kern for, – SvD |

Itty-bitty boho slash folklore inspiration for you this Friday. A sweet mix I think! To the left, a photo by Ditte Isager and to the right, the beautiful Mamma Maria lamp from Lekfull Design and some lovely vintage signs from Three Potato Four.

In order to give you some inspiration from a slightly different angle, from an infrequent cardinal direction, I brought some pictures. Let’s have a sneek into the latest (available) issue of Russian magazine Seasons, #66 – 2010.

When I saw these pics I was flabbergasted..! Amazed to find this cool eclectic content. But well, what was I expecting? I know people don’t all live in those richly decorated palaces of the Tsar era, neither in homes filled to the brim with babushka dolls. And there is not nouveau riche all over. It’s trendey!

Upon reflection, it was not too long ago that Russian winds breezed in over the interior design world. Russian folk style and The Mystique of the East are themes that every now and then pop up as interior decor trends. All in all, that’s enriching and inspiring I think: it is slightly different vibe. Now the conclusion from the Russian mag study is: If you wish to have a look at contemporary decor trends from a Russian perspective, Seasons is a good choice.

Some slightly more odd parts from the Russian scene can be found if you

look at these examples. Some kind of food and a Russian house.

I can not in any way express the name of this other Russian magazine I studied (try yourself, below) but it is…let’s say special. Some pages in the magazine featured plumping (or whatever it is!) – that’s great in a gender perspective – but if one doesn’t understand Russian language this magazine don’t make much sense. Top right is what I considered the most ‘west-familiar’ pic..

Examples of tricks we knew.. :p On the whole, I think the styling in the IKEA catalogues only gets better for each year. No doubt they are keeping pace with time. As for colours, IKEA fancies red and blue in particular the year 2011.

Good choices imho! Not too exciting and groundbreaking, but lagom (you know the Swedish word ‘lagom’? It’s like a National Word. Things must be moderate and pretty average, i.e.”just the right amount”.) With that said, however, the blue armchair might be a little too blue. Anyway, in terms of interior style trends the catalogue content comprises at least two more recent, apparent ones – a follow-up on the folklore style and a partially new industrial style.

| all images press photos |

| images: The world of interiors, August 2010 issue |

The ‘borrowed’-part might have several translations in terms of decor, e.g borrowed from another style…borrowed from a friend…Bottom line is though, I’m crazy for blue. Hit the tag blue you’ll find a dozen posts I’ve written about this colour. It keeps coming back! And, I am completely on the mix-track. Take stuff you love, whether they are new, old, inherited, found at the dump or borrowed. Let the elements play together. Add blue :)

| image: Living Etc, September 2010 issue |

Above are details from some lovely rooms featured in Danish magazine RUM June 2010 issue. To the left, pillows made out of ponchos from Peru and rugs from Iran and Yemen create an inviting and homely ethnic/folk traditional look. To the right, a startlingly interesting space (a circus wagon in fact) is made even more interesting by the pretty and colourful folk art textiles. I’m warming up to this style, which is all about handcrafted textiles and furniture, patterns and multi- colours.

Some shopping inspiration below:

[Top left: Suzani bedspread from Yurdan, approx. 200-700 USD; Top right: Chair from Niki Jones 250 GBP; Bottom left: Plant pots from Graham & Green 39.50 GBP; Bottom right: Cushions from Niki Jones 38-60 GBP]